As a Deaf churchgoer, I have always wanted to attend a church service but was unable to due to the lack of sign language interpreters. In this blog, I will provide an overview of the history and status of deaf churches in America.
In 1786, Thomas Gallaudet founded The American School for the Deaf. This school was later renamed The Connecticut Asylum for the Education and Instruction of Deaf and Dumb Persons. In 1817, Samuel Gridley Howe founded another school for the deaf called The Massachusetts Asylum for the Blind and Deaf-Mutes.
In 1880, Reverend Thomas Gallaudett started a new school for the deaf called Pennsylvania School for Deaf Mutes. This is where he first used sign language with his students. He also founded The National Association of the Deaf (NAD) in 1890 which later merged with another organization called NADCAP to become known as NAD-CAP today.
In 1910, there were over 60 schools for deaf children across the United States. These schools were run by various religious organizations such as Catholic Charities but did not necessarily teach religion as part of their curriculum because they were considered public schools rather than private ones like parochial ones are today (Kahane).
deaf church service
| United States | City | Type of Access for the Deaf | Service Schedule |
| Alabama | |||
| Birmingham Community Deaf | Birmingham | ASL | Sunday 9:30am CT Bible Study/ 11:00am CT Worship |
| Coosada Baptist Church | Coosada | Interpreted | Sunday 10:00am CT |
| DOXA Deaf Ministry | Montgomery | Interpreted | Sunday 10:00am CT |
| Eastmond Baptist Church | Montgomery | Interpreted | Sunday 10:30am CT |
| Eden Westside Baptist Church | Pell City | Interpreted | Sunday 8:10am CT |
| First Baptist Church Fairhope | Fairhope | Interpreted | Sunday 10:00am CT |
| Hillcrest Baptist Church | Anniston | Interpreted | Saturday 6:00pm CT |
| Living Stones Temple | Fultondale | Interpreted | Sunday 8:00am CT |
| Arkansas | |||
| Bethel Deaf Fellowship | Fayetteville | ASL | Sunday 2:00pm CT on Zoom Zoom ID: 465 981 8897 Password: BDF@1647 |
| Fellowship Deaf Ministry | Rogers | Interpreted | Sunday 9:30am CT |
| Deaf Fellowship Church | Little Rock | ASL | Sunday 11:00am CT |
| Fellowship Bible Church | Little Rock | Interpreted | Sunday 9:00am CT |
| Arizona | |||
| Arizona Community Church | Tempe | Interpreted | Sunday 9:30am AZT/ Wednesday Women’s Bible Study 9:00am AZT |
| Camelback Deaf Ministry | Phoenix | ASL | Sunday 12:30am AZT |
| Central Baptist Church Deaf | Conway | Interpreted | Sunday 10:50am AZT |
| Cross Church Deaf Ministry | Springdale | Interpreted | Sunday 2:00pm AZT |
| Oro Valley Church of The Nazarene | Oro Valley | Interpreted | Sunday 9:30am AZT |
| Silent Hope Church | Mesa | ASL | Sunday 2:00pm AZT |
| California | |||
| Archdiocese of San Francisco | San Francisco | ASL | Thursday 12:00pm PT |
| Brentwood Bible Fellowship | Brentwood | Interpreted | Sunday 10:00am PT |
| Cedars Church | Ewark | Interpreted | Sunday 9:30am PT/ 11:00am PT |
| Chapel of Change | Paramount | ASL/Interpreted | Sunday 10:15am PT |
| Christ Cathedral, Diocese of Orange | Garden Grove | Interpreted | Sunday 9:45am PT (English Voice) 11:30am (Spanish Voice) |
| Big Valley Grace Community Church | Modesto | Interpreted | Sunday 9: 00 am PT |
| Deaf Evangel Gospel Assembly | Sacramento | ASL | Sunday 1:00pm PT |
| Fremont Deaf Church | Fremont | ASL | Sunday 10:00am PT (Pre-Recording) |
| Grace Community Church | Sun Valley | Interpreted | Sunday 10:30am PT |
| Hands of Grace | San Jose | ASL | Sunday 10:45 am PT |
| Holy Angels Catholic Church of the Deaf | Los Angeles | ASL | Sunday 8:30am PT Eng Voicing / 11:30am PT Español Voz |
| Pole Line Baptist Church | Davis | ASL/Interpreted | Sunday 12:00pm PT |
| Rock Church of San Diego | San Diego | Interpreted | Sunday 9:45am PT |
| Sacramento Bible Church of Deaf | Sacramento | ASL | Sunday 11:00am PT |
| Sunridge Community Church: Deaf Ministry | Temecula | Interpreted | Sunday 10:30am PT |
| The Deaf Place Church | Costa Mesa | ASL | Sunday 11:00am PT |
| The Grove Deaf Ministry | Riverside | ASL | Sunday 9:00am PT |
| Colorado | |||
| Christian Deaf Church | Colorado Springs | ASL | Sunday 10:00am MT |
| Colorado Community Church | Aurora | Interpreted | Sunday 10:45am MT |
| St. Bernadette Parish Lakewood Colorado | Lakewood | ASL/Interpreted | Saturday 10:00am MT / Sunday 4:00pm MT |
| Woodmen Valley Chapel | Colorado Springs | Interpreted | Sunday 9:00am MT |
| Delaware | |||
| Living Truth Deaf Church | Newark | ASL | Sunday 10:30am ET |
| Praise Deaf Church | Newark | ASL | Sunday 10:00am ET |
| Florida | |||
| Barwick Road Church | Delray Beach | Interpreted | Sunday 10:30am ET |
| Calvary Church | Clearwater | Interpreted | Sunday 8:30am ET |
| Crosspointe Deaf Church – Largo | Largo | ASL/Interpreted | Sunday 10:00am ET/ Wednesday 7:00pm ET and New Found Family Recovery Tuesday 7:00pm ET |
| Deaf Church @ Argyle | Jacksonville | ASL | Sunday 10:30am ET |
| Deaf Church at Southpoint Community Church | Jacksonville | ASL / Interpreted | ASL 1st, 3rd, 5th Sundays 11am ET Interpreted 2nd, 4th Sundays 11am ET |
| Emmanuel Baptist Church | Crestview | Interpreted | Sunday 11:00am ET |
| Grace Bible Deaf Church | Tampa Bay | ASL | Sunday 9:30am ET |
| Grace Community Church | Jacksonville | Interpreted | Sunday 10:00am ET |
| Isign Ministries | Pinellas Park | ASL | Daily Devo 5:45am ET |
| Lakeland Baptist Church | Lakeland | ASL | Sunday 11:00am ET |
| Maranatha Deaf Ministry | Apopka | ASL | Sunday 8:30am ET |
| Miami Deaf Center | Miami | ASL | Sunday 11:30am ET / Monday Bible Study 7:00pm EST |
| POA Deaf Ministry | Apopka | ASL/Interpreted | Sunday Bible Study 9:30 am ET / Sunday Service 10:30 am ET/ Wednesday Service 7:30pm |
| Schott Communities for Person who are Deaf or Disabled and ARCHIDIOCESE OF MIAMI | Cooper City | Interpreted | Sunday 9:30am ET |
| Viva Deaf Ministry | Orlando | ASL/Interpreted | Sunday 9:00am ET Bible Study/ 10:30am ET Worship/ Daily Devo 6:00pm ET |
| Georgia | |||
| Crusselle Freeman Church for the Deaf | Atlanta | ASL | Sunday 2:00pm ET |
| Deaf Baptist Church | Atlanta | ASL | Sunday 10:00pm ET |
| First Baptist Albany | Leesburg | Interpreted | Sunday 9:00pm ET |
| Grove Level Baptist Church | Dalton | Interpreted | Sunday 10:00am ET |
| Harvest Deaf Church | Ringgold | ASL | Sunday 10:45am ET |
| Hawaii | |||
| Kona United Methodist Church | Kailua-Kona | ASL/Interpreted | Sunday 10:00am HST |
| Illinois | |||
| Apostolic Faith Church | Chicago | Interpreted | Sunday 11:00am CT |
| Cornerstone Christian Church | Shiloh | Interpreted | Sunday 9:30am CT |
| First Christian Church | Jacksonville | Interpreted | Sunday 10:45am CT |
| Jacksonville Deaf Church | Jacksonville | ASL | Sunday 10:00am CT (Pre-Recording) |
| Oak Brook Community Deaf Church | Oak Brook | ASL | Sunday 10:00am CT/ Wednesday Bible Study are available at 6:30pm CT |
| Rockford Deaf Apostolate | Rockford | Interpreted | Sunday 10:00am CT |
| Indiana | |||
| Crossroad Baptist Deaf Church | Indianapolis | ASL | Sunday 1:30pm ET |
| Deaf Michiana Missionary Church | South Bend | ASL | Sunday 11:30am ET (Pre-Recording) |
| First Baptist Church Hammond | Hammond | Interpreted | Sunday 10:45am ET |
| Graceland Baptist Church | New Albany | Interpreted | Sunday 9:00am ET |
| Iowa | |||
| Christ’s Church of the Deaf | Council Bluffs | ASL | Sunday 10:30am CT |
| Kansas | |||
| Deaf International Community Church | Olathe | ASL | Sunday 10:00am CT via Zoom |
| Kentucky | |||
| Danville Baptist Deaf Mission | Danville | ASL | Sunday 10:00am ET |
| Epiphany Catholic Church | Louisville | Interpreted | Sunday 10:00am ET |
| Fern Creek Baptist Church | Louisville | Interpreted | Sunday 10:45am ET |
| Gospel Community Church | Owensboro | ASL | Sunday 9:00am ET |
| Grace Family Fellowship | Russell Springs | Interpreted | Tuesday 1:00pm ET (Post) |
| Grace Deaf Presbyterian Church | Danville | ASL | Sunday 10:30am ET |
| Journey Community Church ASL Ministry | Richmond | Interpreted | Sunday 11:15am ET |
| King’s Way Church | Versailles | Interpreted | Sunday 10:00am ET |
| Northeast Christian Church | Louisville | Interpreted | Sunday 8:00am ET |
| Parkland Baptist Church | Louisville | Interpreted | Sunday 9:45am ET |
| Porter Memorial Baptist Church (Deaf Group) | Lexington | Interpreted | Sunday 8:30am ET |
| Vineyard Community Church Richmond | Richmond | Interpreted | Sunday 11:15am ET |
| Louisiana | |||
| Liberty Deaf Church | Baton Rogue | ASL | Sunday 10:00am ET |
| Maryland | |||
| Bethany Community Church | Laurel | Interpreted | Sunday 10:00am ET |
| Christ Lutheran Church of the Deaf | Silver Spring | ASL | Sunday 7:50am ET |
| Deaf Fellowship @ Frederick Church of the Brethren | Frederick | ASL | Sunday 10:00am ET |
| Hampshire View Baptist Church Deaf | Silver Spring | ASL | Sunday 10:00am ET |
| Melwood Church of Nazarene | Upper Marlboro | Interpreted | Sunday 10:45am ET |
| Restoration House International | Beltsville | Interpreted | Sunday 10:00am ET/ Wednesday Bible Study 7:30pm ET |
| The Table Church C&MA | Frederick | ASL | Sunday 9:00am ET |
| Massachusetts | |||
| Boston Deaf Apostolate | Boston | Interpreted | Sunday 11:00am ET |
| Jubilee Christian Church | Boston | Interpreted | Sunday 12:30pm ET |
| Trinity Church Rockland | Rockland | Interpreted | Sunday 10:00am ET |
| Montana | |||
| Peace Lutheran Church | Great Falls | ASL | Tuesday 10:00am MT |
| Michigan | |||
| Berean Baptist Church | Adrian | Interpreted | Sunday 10:30am ET |
| Detroit Catholic Deaf Community | Detroit | Interpreted | Sunday 11:30am ET |
| Master House Deaf Church | Flint | ASL | Sunday 9:00am ET |
| Minnesota | |||
| Cedar Valley | Bloomington | Interpreted | Sunday 9:15am CT/ Wednesday 7:00 CT |
| First Baptist Church | Waterville | Interpreted | Sunday 10:30am CT |
| Grace Church | Eden Prairie | Interpreted | Sunday 9:00am CT |
| Guardian Angels Catholic Community | Oakdale | Interpreted | Saturday 4:30pm CT |
| Peace Deaf Church | Eagan | ASL | Sunday 9:30am CT |
| Rock Hill Community Church | Duluth | Interpreted | Sunday 9:00am CT |
| Mississippi | |||
| Concordia Lutheran Church | Kirkwood | Interpreted | Sunday 9:30am CT |
| Hickory Ridge Baptist Church Deaf | Florence | Interpreted | Sunday 9:30am CT |
| Pinelake Baptist Church Deaf | Brandon | Interpreted | Sunday 9:30am ET |
| Missouri | |||
| Concordia Lutheran Church | Kirkwood | Interpreted | Sunday 9:30am CT (Pre-Recording) |
| Bible Baptist Church of Jefferson City | Jefferson City | ASL/Interpreted | Sunday 10:30am CT |
| First Baptist Church Arnold | Arnold | Interpreted | Sunday 11:00am CT |
| Landmark Family Church | Maryland Heights | Interpreted | Sunday 10:00am CT |
| St. Thomas Deaf Episcopal Church | Kirkwood | ASL/Interpreted | Sunday 10:00am CT |
| Nebraska | |||
| Christ Community Church | Omaha | Interpreted | Sunday 10:45am CT |
| Sacred Heart Church | Omaha | Interpreted | Sunday 10:30am CT |
| New Jersey | |||
| Victory Assembly of God | Elmer | Interpreted | Sunday 11:00am ET |
| New Mexico | |||
| Holy Family Church | Santa Fe | Interpreted | Sunday 8:00am MT/ 10:00am MT |
| New York | |||
| Browncroft Community Church | Rochester | Interpreted | Sunday 10:15am ET |
| Calvary Assembly Church | Rochester | Interpreted | Sunday 9:00am ET |
| Grace Assembly of God | Syracuse | Interpreted | Sunday 10:00am ET |
| North Carolina | |||
| Asheville Deaf Church | Asheville | ASL | Sunday 11:00am ET (Pre-Recording) |
| Blended Fellowship | Pikeville | Interpreted | Sunday 11:00 am ET |
| Charlotte Deaf Mission | Charlotte | ASL | Sunday 10:30am ET (Pre-Recording) |
| Deaf Light Ministries | Winston Salem | ASL | Sunday 9:30am ET |
| Long’s Chapel UMC | Waynesville | Interpreted | Sunday 9:30am ET |
| Morganton First Baptist Church | Morganton | ASL | Sunday 9:00am ET |
| Triad Baptist Church | Kernersville | Interpreted | Sunday 9:15am ET |
| Ohio | |||
| Calvary Baptist Church | Bellefontaine | Interpreted | Sunday 10:00am ET |
| Deaf Outreach Church | North Canton | ASL | Sunday 9:00am ET |
| Liberty Baptist Church of Deaf | Columbus | ASL | Sunday 10:30am ET |
| Oakwood Deaf Community Church | Eastlake | ASL | Sunday 11:00am ET |
| Signs of Grace Deaf | Middleburg Heights | ASL | Sunday 10:30am ET |
| Wooster Church of the Nazarene | Wooster | Interpreted | Sunday 9:00am ET |
| Oklahoma | |||
| Battle Creek Church | Multi-Campus | Interpreted | Thursday 6:00pm CT |
| Deaf Church Oklahoma | Oklahoma City | ASL | Sunday 1:50pm CT |
| Solace Church | Tulsa | Interpreted | Sunday 11:00am CT |
| Oregon | |||
| Family Life Church | Medford | ASL | Sunday 10:30am PT |
| Salem Alliance Church (S3) | Salem | ASL/Interpreted | Sunday 11:30am PT |
| Salem Evangelical Church | Salem | Interpreted | Sunday 9:15am PT |
| Pennsylvania | |||
| Deaf Catholic Philly | Philadelphia | ASL | Saturday 5:30pm ET |
| Redemption Hill Church – South Hills | Jefferson Hills | Interpreted | Sunday 10:00 am ET |
| St. Joseph Catholic Church | Mechanicsburg | Interpreted | Sunday 9:45am ET |
| Rhode Island | |||
| Greater RIBaptist Temple Deaf Ministry | Johnston | Interpreted | Sunday 8:00am ET |
| South Carolina | |||
| First Baptist Church of Deaf | Greenville | ASL | Sunday 9:00am ET (Pre-Recording) |
| FirstDEAF Deaf Ministry | Columbia | Interpreted | Sunday 9:00am ET |
| Millbrook Baptist Deaf Ministry | Millbrook | ASL | Sunday 9:00am ET |
| Roebuck Baptist Church for the Deaf | Roebuck | ASL/Interpreted | Sunday 9:30am ET |
| Tennessee | |||
| 1st UPC of Bolivar Deaf Church | Bolivar | ASL | Sunday 10:00am CT |
| Brentwood Baptist Deaf Church | Brentwood | ASL | Sunday 11:00am ET |
| Buffalo Trail Baptist | Morristown | Interpreted | Sunday 10:15am ET |
| Deaf Church Knoxville | Knoxville | ASL | Sunday 10:00am ET |
| Deaf Church Murfreesboro | Murfreesboro | ASL | Sunday 10:30am ET |
| Hilldale Baptist Church | Clarksville | Interpreted | Sunday 11:00am ET |
| Kirby Woods Baptist Deaf Church | Memphis | ASL | Sunday 9:45am CT |
| Metro Nashville Deaf Community Church | Nashville | ASL | Sunday 1:00pm CT |
| New Life Deaf Church | Clarksville | ASL | Sunday 9:00am CT |
| Strong Tower Baptist Church | Johnson City | Interpreted | Sunday 10:00am CT |
| Texas | |||
| Amarillo Deaf Church | Amarillo | ASL | Sunday 10:45am CT (Pre-Recording) |
| Austin Christian | Austin | Interpreted | Sunday 10:00am CT |
| Baruch HaShem A Messianic Synagogue | Dallas | Interpreted | Saturday 10:30am CT |
| Blessed Hand Deaf Church | Big Spring | ASL | Sunday 2:30pm CT |
| Compass Church Deaf Ministry | Colleyville | Interpreted | Sunday 11:30am CT/ During this unique times – daily devotions and worship are available at 8:00pm CT |
| Deaf Ministry of Lovers Lane UMC | Dallas | ASL/Interpreted/ CC | Sunday 9:00am CT |
| Emmanuel Baptist Church McAllen Deaf Ministries | McAllen | ASL | Sunday 10:30am CT |
| Evergreen Baptist Church | Iola | Interpreted | Sunday 11:00am CT |
| First Baptist Church Mansfield Deaf | Mansfield | Interpreted | Sunday 10:30am CT |
| Gateway Church | Austin | Interpreted | Sunday 11:00am CT |
| Gateway Church | Southlake | Interpreted | Saturday 4:00pm CT |
| Grace Lutheran Church | San Marcos | Interpreted | Sunday 10:15am CT |
| Legacy Deaf Ministry | North Richland Hills | ASL | Sunday 10:45am CT |
| New Life Deaf Fellowship | Fort Worth | ASL | Sunday 10:00am CT |
| North Side Baptist Church | Weatherford | Interpreted | Sunday 9:00am CT |
| Prestonwood Deaf Ministry | Plano | Interpreted | Sunday 9:30am CT |
| Silent Friends Chapel | Dallas | ASL | Sunday 10:15am CT |
| St. Patrick’s Cathedral | Fort Worth | Interpreted | Sunday 11:00am CT |
| The ASL Church | San Marcos | ASL | Sunday 11:00am CT |
| The Austin Stone | Austin | Interpreted | Sunday 8:00am CT (PreRecording) |
| Woodhaven Baptist Deaf Church | Houston | ASL | Sunday 11:00am CT |
| Virginia | |||
| Belle Meadows Deaf Ministry | Bristol | ASL | Sunday 9:00am ET |
| Deaf Mission at Richmond | Richmond | ASL | Sunday 11:00am ET |
| First Baptist Church Alexandria | Alexandria | ASL | Sunday 11:00am ET (Pre-Recording) |
| Living Word Deaf Church | Lynchburg | ASL | Sunday 10:30am ET |
| McLean Bible Church | Vienna | Interpreted | Sunday 9:00am ET |
| New Life UMC | Midlothian | Interpreted | Sunday 10:45amET |
| Potomac Deaf Church | Alexandria | ASL | Sunday 11:00am ET |
| River Wave Deaf Church | Virginia Beach | ASL | Sunday 9:00am ET |
| Washington | |||
| Doxa Church | Bellevue | Interpreted | Sunday 10:00am ET (Pre-Recording) |
| Kessid Church | Vancouver | Interpreted | Sunday 11:00am ET |
| Washington DC | |||
| Bison Christian Fellowship | Washington DC | ASL | Sunday 8:00am ET |
| National Community Church | Washington DC | Interpreted | Sunday 10:30am ET |
| Wisconsin | |||
| Archdiocese of Milwaukee | Milwaukee | ASL | Friday 12:00pm CT (pre-recording at 11:30am) |
| Bay City Baptist Church | Green Bay | ASL | Sunday 9:30am CT |
| East Delavan Baptist Deaf Church | Delavan | ASL | Sunday 10:50am CT/ Wednesday Bible Study are available at 7:00pm CT |
| Emmanuel Lutheran Church of the Deaf | Milwaukee | ASL | Sunday 4:00pm CT |
| Faith Community Church | Fort Atkinson | Interpreted | Sunday 9:00am CT |
| Canada | |||
| Archdiocese of Ottawa | Edmonton / Ottawa | ASL | Saturday 8:30pm ET / Wednesday 8:30pm ET |
| Hope Church | Toronto, ON | Interpreted | Sunday 9:15am ET |
| Victory International Church | Hamilton, ON | Interpreted | Sunday 10:30 am ET |
| Colombia | |||
| Ministerio Puente Largo | Bogota | Subtitular | De lunes a viernes de 8 a.m. a 6 p.m. y Miércoles 6 pm y Sábado 6pm y Domingos de 9 a.m. a 11 a.m. (Hora de Colombia) |
| Ecuador | |||
| Iglesia Alianza El Batán | Eloy Alfaro,Quito | Intérprete De Lenguaje De Señas | Domingo 10HOO CST |
| Iglesia Bíblica Bautisa | Quito | Intérprete De Lenguaje De Señas | Domingo 10HOO CST |
| El Salvador | |||
| Ministerio de Sordos IBM | San Salvador | Intérprete De Lenguaje De Señas | Domingo 10:00 hrs CST y 19:00 hrs CST/ Miercoles 19:00 hrs CST |
| Tabernáculo Bíblico Bautista Amigos de Israel Central | Colonia Escalón | Intérprete De Lenguaje De Señas | Dominical 4:00pm CST |
| Guatemala | |||
| Casa de Dios | Casa de Dios, Fraijanes | Intérprete De Lenguaje De Señas | Domingo 7:00 hrs y 11:00 hrs |
| Ministerios Ebenezer | Guatemala | Intérprete De Lenguaje De Señas | Domingo 7:30 hrs y 11:00 hrs y 14:30 hrs y 18:00 hrs |
| Honduran | |||
| Manos Felices | Tegucigalpa | Honduras | Sonntag 11:30 Uhr MEZ |
| Switzerland | |||
| ICF Zürich | Dübendorf | Gebärdensprachdolmetscher | Sonntag 11:30 Uhr MEZ |
| United Kingdom | |||
| Bromley Town Church | Bromley | BSL-Interpreted | Sunday 10:00am BST |
| Kerith Community Church | Bracknell | BSL-Interpreted | Sunday 9:30am BST |
| King’s Church London | London | BSL-Interpreted | Sunday 12:30pm BST |
| Merland Rise Church | Tadworth | BSL-Interpreted | Sunday 12:30pm BST |
| Rising Brook Community Church | Stafford | BSL-Interpreted | Sunday 10:30am BST |
| Woodgreen Evangelical Church | Worcester | BSL-Interpreted | Sunday 10:30am BST |
| Bilton Evangelical Church | Rugby | BSL-Interpreted | Sunday 10:30am BST |
| Christian Fellowship Church | Belfast | BSL-Interpreted | Sunday 10:00am BST |
| Derby Vineyard Church | Derby | BSL-Interpreted | Sunday 10:30am BST |
| Preston Minster | Preston | BSL-Interpreted | Sunday 5:00am BST |
| Metropolitan Tabernacle-Deaf Bible Fellowship | London | BSL-Interpreted | Sunday 11:00am BST/ 6:30pm BST/ Bible Study – Sunday 3:00pm BST/ Wednesday 7:30pm BST |
| Word of Hands | Birmingham | BSL-Deaf | Sunday 11:00am BST |
